Gomer: A Picture of Grace
And the Lord said to Hosea, Go, take unto thee a wife of whoredoms and children of whoredoms: for the land hath committed great whoredom, departing from the Lord. Hosea 1:2
So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley. Hosea 3:2
Hosea was a prophet, a man of God. Yet, God gave him the task of marrying a woman that didn't fit the image of a holy man. Why?
Good question.
God used Hosea's marriage to Gomer as a picture of how the nation of Israel looked in His eyes. Israel was in a moral downslope and their behavior was reprehensible in the eyes of God. Their spiritual prostitution to the idols of Baal was similar to Gomer's chosen profession. Hosea was a representation of God, holy and with purpose. Gomer represented the spiritually ever-swaying Israelites.
However, instead of the judgement He wanted to reign down, He gave grace and mercy through restoration.
Just as Hosea purchased his wife back from her harlotry, God sought after Israel. Time after time, Gomer left Hosea for the lure of her former life. She sought the pleasures of this sinful life and enjoyed it more than her commitment to Hosea. The Israelites also left God many times for the love of other gods and ways. Their spirituality was like a yo-yo.
When she was purchased back, Hosea told her she was his and for none other. God wanted the same for His children, but it had to be their choice. The cost for Gomer was 15 pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley. This symbolizes redemption and payment for sin as well as provision and care. Hosea promised to care for her, as a wife, and to provide for her.
The cost for mankind was significantly more. God sent His Son, the perfect and spotless Lamb, to provide redemption and to become our sin payment. Through His sacrifice, our provision and care are secured. As with the Israelites, however, we must choose it.
Read the story of Hosea and Gomer and see the love of God toward His wayward children throughout it. It is a beautifully redeeming tale of a loving Savior.
C
So I bought her to me for fifteen pieces of silver, and for an homer of barley, and an half homer of barley. Hosea 3:2
Hosea was a prophet, a man of God. Yet, God gave him the task of marrying a woman that didn't fit the image of a holy man. Why?
Good question.
God used Hosea's marriage to Gomer as a picture of how the nation of Israel looked in His eyes. Israel was in a moral downslope and their behavior was reprehensible in the eyes of God. Their spiritual prostitution to the idols of Baal was similar to Gomer's chosen profession. Hosea was a representation of God, holy and with purpose. Gomer represented the spiritually ever-swaying Israelites.
However, instead of the judgement He wanted to reign down, He gave grace and mercy through restoration.
Just as Hosea purchased his wife back from her harlotry, God sought after Israel. Time after time, Gomer left Hosea for the lure of her former life. She sought the pleasures of this sinful life and enjoyed it more than her commitment to Hosea. The Israelites also left God many times for the love of other gods and ways. Their spirituality was like a yo-yo.
When she was purchased back, Hosea told her she was his and for none other. God wanted the same for His children, but it had to be their choice. The cost for Gomer was 15 pieces of silver and a homer and a half of barley. This symbolizes redemption and payment for sin as well as provision and care. Hosea promised to care for her, as a wife, and to provide for her.
The cost for mankind was significantly more. God sent His Son, the perfect and spotless Lamb, to provide redemption and to become our sin payment. Through His sacrifice, our provision and care are secured. As with the Israelites, however, we must choose it.
Read the story of Hosea and Gomer and see the love of God toward His wayward children throughout it. It is a beautifully redeeming tale of a loving Savior.
C
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